Summer of Success for Sailor

Year 8 pupil Harvey Leigh has enjoyed a summer of sailing which has culminated in two impressive feats.

Harvey recently completed a 23 mile circumnavigation of Holy Island off Anglesey in Wales alongside his fellow junior sailor, Archie Leckie, in support of the Trearddur Bay RNLI and mental health charity Heads Together. Despite having to reschedule twice, once due to a lack of wind and once because of an Atlantic storm, the boys set off on the morning of 23 August. Their sail included varied challenges, from the difficult tidal races off the Stacks to crossing the Holyhead shipping channel, and high-speed shoots through tidal tunnels. They finally made it ashore 11 hours after setting sail.

The boys’ fundraising surpassed their initial target and they raised a hugely impressive £2,662, which will be split between the two charities.

In early September, Harvey also took part in the RS Feva Volvo Grand Prix at Draycote Water Sailing Club, where he was again alongside his sailing partner Archie. Over the course of the two-day event, they did well, taking first, third and fourth place in Saturday’s races and dominating on Sunday with some flawless sailing that saw them win two of the three races. This meant that Harvey and Archie won the British sailing team qualifier.

Harvey also leads 100 of the North West’s best sailors in the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Junior Travellers Trophy.

Harvey has moved into the RS Feva class following his previous success sailing Optimists.